The Sun and The Dark Side of the Moon

Today, October 11th, we Earthlings have moved into the lunar phase called New Moon. This is when the moon, in its orbital rotation, lies directly between the sun and the earth. Now it is the sun that experiences its own full reflection off the surface of that glistening pearl of a rock that lights our night sky and regulates our tides. We here on Earth are now full face with the dark side of the moon, with just the very glimmer of the crescent, without which, we might experience a lunar eclipse. The new moon appears approximately every 29 days. I have always been amazed by the science of astronomy and the ability to determine the phases of the moon, constellations and galaxies by way of mathematical equations. I've heard it said that mathematics is the Divine language of the universe. Then again... I was never any good at math.

In most schools of mysticism, the moon is representative of time and the right side of the brain, which is intuitive and creative. The sun to timelessness, spirit, the left hemisphere of the brain and cognition or consciousness. Melding the two hemisphere's of the brain being the goal of meditation, thereby bringing about new or heightened senses, mystical experience, immediate manifestation, hearing the still small voice of our Higher Self, profound "knowledge" or revelation, and ultimately, linking with the eternal mind wherein we share the thoughts of God and experience the peace beyond understanding. Thus, the sun and the moon, as with all aspects of the material world, can be symbolic of the Divine, depending upon our perspective.

We are blessed to have been born in a time when we may choose our own path to God, without being forced to adhere to some other man's view of truth, and without fear of "lethal" persecution in so doing. When I may decide, based upon my own understanding and experience, what is truth as it resonates with my innermost being. On a deeper level, we all have the ability to determine truth. But it does require that we faithfully question our own motives and intent.

Surely, just because a religious text specifies or condones something, doesn't mean it is "Truth." Neither would I denounce or condone something based upon a religious text merely because it makes me feel righteous, in fact, especially if it makes me feel righteous, it is bound to be suspect, and require some soul searching. Perhaps that is why I possess such a deep distrust of fundamentalism. The one aspect all religions were created to teach, is lost in all forms of fundamentalism, and that is the development of a compassionate soul. Intolerance and compassion cannot coexist. It strikes me that written words are symbols, as is the spoken language a symbol, as is the intent behind that ... so how do we reach "essence" which must be where ultimate truth resides. Does it exist in eternity? Surely, that requires looking much deeper.

I am forever considering the fact that all that is written as "Truth" was written by "someone" (men mostly, and mostly, men of their time) and that despite their best of intentions (hopefully) they may have felt at some point it necessary to "clarify" something or other. Certainly, all religious texts contain frightening examples of this. All sacrificial rites, fanatical intolerance's and most of the bloodiest wars have been waged in the name of a "loving" God, albeit angry and jealous on occasion. Based on the writings of men, God is presented as a Jekyll and Hyde, certainly not "someone" I would wish to meet in a dark ally, or in "Heaven" for that matter. It almost seems mankind has a great and dire fear of God, because in all our "manuals" we have created him to be like us. No wonder so many are afraid to look inside, if the one who waits to meet them is as judgmental and vengeful as they. But what if, the books are wrong. What if God neither judges nor condemns. What if we only judge and condemn ourselves? How will we know if we are never courageous enough to look within?

Through the practices of contemplation and meditation, I have found my own avenue for discernment. All true men of God have pointed to our hearts and asked us to look within. The outer world being merely shadows and projections of a frightened ego and noisy mind that thinks it is in competition with God. Meditation is the practice of looking within. Visiting that place of silence wherein eternity lies and essence can be experienced first hand. I've found extreme peace in meditation, having my own experiences of the Divine and realizing that those who say they can explain God as a being or concept, usually cannot.

The best book I ever read on meditation is called The Art of Meditation, written by Joel Goldsmith, a 20th century Christian mystic and healer. He is no longer alive, but has left his legacy in his many books. He is an author I would highly recommend.

The practice of meditation, I realize, requires a sense of reverence and purpose like prayer, the difference being instead of talking to God, making a plea in effect, we are listening for Him to speak to us. I believe it is important to change our practices now and then so they don't become rote, leaving our minds spinning elsewhere while we out of habit maintain the position or speak the usual words without really focusing on what we're doing. I recently learned a new meditation I would like to share with you. It is a guided meditation, in that, rather than focusing on nothing, you focus on something. In this case, it has to do with the sun and the moon, which is where I began this post a hundred or so words ago...

Sitting quietly with both feet on the ground, imagine yourself surrounded by white light. Run a cord of light from your base chakra (base of the spine) to the center of the Earth. Know it will remain in tact. Call your guardian angels around you. You may also call upon those ascended masters you feel especially drawn to, such as Jesus or the Buddha.

Close your eyes. Imagine the Sun in the center of your chest, in your heart chakra. See it golden and burning and brilliant. To the right of that, envision the full moon, huge and bright white and moving slowly towards the sun. Imagine the moon moving into the sun and the sun encompasses the moon until it disappears and is consumed therein. The sun remains burning brilliantly. Continue to imagine this sun in your heart chakra. Focus on it. Relax. Now, think of something you wish to experience in your life. Something you wish to "manifest." Whether it be true love, abundance, health ... whatever it might be. See how that would look and how it would feel. Imagine yourself having that experience. Hold the vision awhile. If it slips away, just gently pull it back it again. You will get much better at visualization and maintaining the pictures in your mind the more you practice.

That's it. Practice this meditation mornings and nights before you go to sleep. You may notice initially you start vibrating! Often not requiring as much sleep. And something wonderful might happen! If you decide to give the sun and moon meditation a try, I would love to hear about your experiences!

Blessings to you,
~L